CLASS -12

STRUCTURE OF ANTIBODY MOLECULE

White Blood Cells are an important part of the immune system.

Lymphocytes form the main cells involved in immune system.
There are two classes of lymphocytes: T – lymphocytes and
B – lymphocytes.

B – Lymphocytes or B – cells are short lived cells of the

immune system.
They are named B- lymphocytes because they were first studied in
Bursa of Fabricius (a lymphatic organ near Cloaca found in the birds
only). In Mammals, B cells mature in the Bone marrow.

B- Lymphocytes are responsible for Humoral or

Antibody –Mediated Immune System(AMI).
B- Lymphocytes produce Plasma cells. Plasma cells produce
Antibodies. The B cells produce Antibodies that are used to attack
invading bacteria, viruses, and toxins. Antibodies are produced by
B- lymphocytes in the blood.
Antibodies are specific proteins synthesised by the host in response
to an antigen. Antibodies are collectively called IMMUNOGLOBULINS
or Ig. Antibodies are Glycoproteins produced by B –lymphocytes.

Each Antibody molecule is made up of four peptide chains. Of these,

two are longer chains called Heavy chains or H chains and two are
smaller chains called Light chains or L chains. Hence an Antibody is
represented as H2L2.
All the 4 polypeptide chains are held together to form a
“Y- shaped molecule “.

Thus Each immunoglobulin molecule is made up of two

Heavy chains and two Light chains joined by disulphide bonds, and
each Heavy chain is linked to a Light chain by a disulfide bond.
Different types of Antibodies are produced in our body.

In the structure of Antibody molecule, one linkage is between the 2

Heavy chains, and the other is with a Heavy chain with a
Light chain.
The stem of the Y is made up of one end of each of 2 identical Heavy
chains . While each arm of Y is made up of the remaining portion of a
Heavy chain and a Light chain. The two Light chains are also
identical.

Each Light chain is formed of 214 amino acids. Light chains are of
two types in all the classes of immunoglobulin: Kappa (k) and
Lambda (λ ) chains. A given Antibody has either both Kappa and both
Lambda type light chains.
The Amino acid sequence of Light chains has shown that
Light chain is formed of two parts:
Variable (V) of 1- 108 amino acids and varies from one antibody to
another and Constant (C) of 109- 214 amino acids and is
characteristic of the antibody.

Heavy chains are two in number. Each Heavy Chain is formed of 440
amino acids. Each Heavy chain is formed of two parts: Variable regio
(formed of 1-118amino acids) and Constant region
(formed of 119-440 amino acids)and about three times in length to
that of light chain.
Unlike the stem, the structure of the tip of arms of each Antibody is
highly variable and the specific antigen binds here in lock and key
fashion to form an Antigen –Antibody complex.

On the surface of Antigens, there are certain regions specific to

antibodies, called Antigenic determinants, each of which matches a
specific antibody and binds to it.

The Antibodies (Immunoglobulins) are of 5 types

IgA , IgD, Ig E, IgG, Ig M.
The Heavy chains are specific for each type of Immunoglobulin. They
contain amino acids in a specific sequence which determines the
types of immunoglobulin. There are five types of Heavy chains:
(1) Gamma γ (2) Alpha α (3) Delta δ (4) micron μ (5) epsilon ε .

The Immunoglobulins formed by them are respectively known as

Ig G, Ig A, Ig D, Ig M and Ig E .
 FUNCTIONS OF ANTIBODIES

1)IgA – Ig A is the second most abundant immunoglobulin . It is

found in saliva, tears, Colostrum etc. It protects the mucosal
surfaces. It is the first antibody type to be formed inside human body
at about age of 4 months.

[Mothers milk is considered the most appropriate food for a new

born infant.
Mothers milk (Colostrum)contains nearly all the nutrients and also
the antibodies (especially Ig-A )which provide Passive immunity to
the baby against a number of infections for short period.]
(2)IgD – It is present on lymphocyte surface as receptors, activation
of B- lymphocytes. Only 1 % of the serum is IgD.

(3)Ig E – It is a mediator in allergic reactions.

(4)IgG – It stimulates phagocytes and complement system , passive

immunity to foetus. IgG is the most abundant antibody in humans.
IgG constitutes about 75 % of total antibodies.
It is the only antibody that can cross placenta to reach the foetus.
About 70 % of normal Human Serum is Ig G. It is the most common
type of Antibody.

(5)Ig M – It activates B- lymphocytes.